Professor Jean-Baptiste Gouyon

Professor Jean-Baptiste Gouyon is Head of Department (HoD) for Science and Technology Studies (STS).

When did you take up this position? What was your position beforehand?

The role is fairly new to me as I only took it in September 2024! It’s in stark contrast with last academic year when I was on research leave. I was then an Associate Professor in Science Communication and although I had remained director of our MSc in Science Communication, my direct involvement with the day-to-day life of the department was much reduced. Now STS lives in my head 24/7. 

When did you join UCL and where were you before?

When I joined UCL, as a Teaching Fellow, in January 2014, I had been a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Science Museum, in London, for a year and a half. 

Tell us about your work at UCL - how do you spend your days, and what makes your role different to similar positions elsewhere?

As HoD for STS I spend my days juggling between dealing with the unforeseen—what lands on my desk—forward planning, and trying to raise the department’s profile in the faculty and the college which implies meeting with people across UCL. 

Last, but by no means least, my role is also to take care of our students, and ensure that they have the best experience possible whilst studying at STS. We consistently get high NSS scores, and I’m working for it to stay that way. 

I have not had a chance to be an HoD elsewhere, but what would make the role specific to UCL would probably be the size of the University, which is rather large for a top rated research intensive university.   

What are some of your favourite things about working at UCL? How have you found it different to previous jobs? 

What I particularly enjoy about working at UCL is its cosmopolitanism, which to me means that all cultures and backgrounds are welcome, and considered worthy of engaging with. STS is not different from the rest of the college in that respect, both the staff and the student population are remarkably diverse. This diversity makes UCL a fabulous environment for work and study, with few equivalents in Europe. 

I also appreciate the collegiality of the place, the can-do attitude that prevails and the controlled chaos that rules at all levels. Chaos has its drawbacks, sometimes it slows things down, or it adds hurdles. But it has immense value, in that it brings into contact actors—students, academics, departments—which would not be expected to interact in a more ordained environment. It favours the emergence of some of the original ideas that make UCL stand out, in particular when it comes to interdisciplinary research and teaching, and it adds a layer of complexity which is fun to deal with. No two days are the same.

Can you tell us about recent research or future projects that you're looking forward to working on?

Before taking up the role of HoD, having won a Leverhulme Trust Fellowship, I was on research leave. So, I visited archives to investigate the history of wildlife conservation with a focus on conservationists also involved in wildlife filmmaking, people like Peter Scott or Julian Huxley, who both took part in founding the WWF. I’m quite looking forward to start exploiting the material I brought back from these visits. 

But before I can turn to that I want to finish writing my book on science journalism, which I mostly do during my commuting time. In it I explore science journalism’s role in promoting conversations and debates about science in society. 

This is what Science and Technology Studies is all about. STS recognises that science is a huge driving force to transform the world and our societies. People in STS try to make sense of this dynamic relationship with the tools of history, sociology, philosophy, science policy and science communication. 

Have you always been based in London? If not, when did you move here, and how did you find adapting to living in London?

I’ve only been based in London for the last 12 years. Before that I moved around. I was a Science Journalist in Paris, I worked at the Embassy of France in Oslo as Deputy Science and Technology attaché, I did my PhD in York and a post doc in Berlin. 

I now live in Kent but enjoy commuting to London every day. What strikes me is that London requires little adapting to. Live and let live is the motto which I feel describes it best. As a city, London is very heterogeneous. I would say that there is a sense of freedom and of acceptance that makes it very welcoming. 

Finally, tell us about your non-work life. Do you have any hobbies, or favourite places to go in London?

I’m an avid novel reader and I also like exercising. At the moment, I am addicted to indoor bouldering. I am no Toby Roberts, but it nevertheless brings me a lot of joy. Two hours of it is the best way I’ve found so far of emptying my head and resetting after a week’s work. 

Not living in London, I’m a bit of the perpetual tourist there. I often visit the Science Museum. I always find it amusing to watch how people interact with the exhibits. 

I’m also fascinated by painting as an art form and derive a lot of pleasure from walking around the rooms of the National Gallery. I don't go enough to concerts, but I love the Barbican, and I always hope I will manage to squeeze in a lunchtime concert at the Wigmore Hall.